There is still a backlog for routine breast screening appointments, according to Manx Care.

It has said that this is aimed to be cleared by the summer.

A spokesperson from Manx Care said: ’Manx Care’s routine breast screening services are still catching up after the suspension of the service due to Covid in 2020.

’The backlog is scheduled to be cleared by summer 2022 with every effort is being made by radiology team.

’Every woman over the age of 50 is routinely offered a mammogram before their 51st birthday which is within the current guidelines.’

The breast screening unit has been experiencing problems since the pandemic began in March 2020 as it had to shut down for four months during the first lockdown.

In August 2021, more than 3,000 appointments for routine breast screening had to be rescheduled due to the effects of Covid. There was a three-month waiting list for women already attending for screening every year from the age of 50.

At that time, it was said that woman may have to wait up to 10 months to be seen.

Extra staff were then recruited to help deal with the backlog, including a trainee and a qualified mammographer.

On average, 34 breast cancers are detected through mammogram screening.

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